#BeBoldForChange At Ruyton we acknowledge women and girls every day of the year, but around the time of the official International Women’s Day (on Wednesday 8 March) there were many events and acitivites to celebrate. On Tuesday 7 March the Senior School welcomed Ms Jessica Watson OAM, 2011 Young Australian of the Year, as guest speaker at the International Women’s Day Assembly. In 2009 16-year-old Jessica set off to sail around the world solo. Jessica’s presentation provided a remarkable opportunity for our students to hear from a young woman who epitomises the theme of ‘brave women, bold stories’ and whose grit and determination is inspirational for us all. In addition, on Wednesday 8 March, there was an IWD breakfast at School, for girls in Years 9-12 and their mothers or significant females in their lives. The guest speakers were Ms Ali Hooper, Global Communications Manager YGAP, and entrepreneur, Ms Wawira Njiru. Both these speakers exemplified the importance of supporting communities in poverty in their quest to improve life. They delivered messages of empowerment to help our girls understand how they, too, can live lives of purpose with courage and character. Mrs Cathryn Furey, Assistant Principal, Director of Learning For International Women’s Day, we had the privilege Roshica Ponnampalam, one of our School Co- of hearing Jessica Watson, who, in 2009, was the Captains beautifully encapsulated the motives youngest female to sail around the world solo. During behind Jess’ talk. ‘Age isn’t a barrier, nor is being a her speech she mentioned that there are no dreams woman.’ This was clearly displayed during Jess’ without risks and, in her words, ‘dreamers must have speech, as she revealed the obstacles she had to the au dacity to weigh up risks in order to achieve their overcome as a 16-year-old girl. The 210-day voyage drea ms’. She told us that from a young age she was described as ‘overwhelming’, and Ruyton herself was scared of the water. She hated all things students and staff could not have found a more to do with it, including sailing. It made us wonder fitting word. The experiences that Jess faced as a how someone who hated the water could get over young girl translated to the poised and more than her fear and achieve her ultimate dream of sailing capable 23-year-old she is today. No one could around the world … How did she go from someone encompass what it means to be a woman more than who was completely afraid of the water to someone Jess. With someone to relate to, the girls definitely who spent 210 days at sea sailing around the world took something away from her speech. Whether it solo? She told us that she had to learn to be tougher. was to ‘make the best of every opportunity’ or to be She showed grit and determination, both values that ‘best mates’ with your boat, Jessica Watson has been are encouraged at Ruyton. When she jumped into an inspiration to us all. This is what it means to be a that boat as a young girl, she took a risk and a step woman. forward in achieving her dreams. A dream that belonged not just to her, but to her family and the Charly Oakley, Year 9 many volunteers who put their effort into the boat that was her ‘best mate’ for 210 days. A UN Youth Ambassador, a world record setter and a ‘hero’ in the words of the then Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd. She inspired others to achieve their dreams, yet the humble Jessica Watson sees herself as just an ‘ordinary person’. Just a person with a dream. Bella Eames, Year 9 autumn 2017 15